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Music News: NYC hospitals pick coronavirus survival anthems

'Here Comes the Sun' by the Beatles - seen here at Abbey Road in 1967 - is a popular song among New York City hospitals celebrating patients' recovery from COVID-19.
'Here Comes the Sun' by the Beatles - seen here at Abbey Road in 1967 - is a popular song among New York City hospitals celebrating patients' recovery from COVID-19.John Williams/BIPs/Getty Images

by Jay Gabler

April 24, 2020

Hospitals around the world are working frantically to save lives in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and while thousands of lives are tragically being lost, many patients are also pulling through and being discharged to recover from the virus. The New York Times reports that NYC hospitals have started picking their preferred recovery anthems to play as discharged patients roll out the doors.

Perhaps the most popular choice is The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun"; one hospital even calls a "Code Sun" and plays the song every time a recovering patient is removed from a ventilator. Other classic-rock picks include Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," while some hospitals lean more contemporary and go with Rachel Platten's "Fight Song" or "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Taking what the Times describes as "a more literal approach," one hospital on Long Island plays "Every Breath You Take" by the Police when a patient starts breathing independently again.

And then, of course, some hospitals play Bill Withers's "Lean On Me." This evening, you can join The Current for a supportive "Lean On Me" singalong at 5:54 p.m. CDT. Also, cast your vote for our countdown of 893 songs that bring us together.

Rolling Stones release first original song in eight years

The Rolling Stones have released their first original song since 2012. "Living in a Ghost Town" was originally written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards a year ago, Jagger told Apple Music, but he revised and re-recorded the lyrics because "some of it was a bit weird and a bit too dark." The Stones have spent the past few years working on their follow-up to A Bigger Bang, their last album of originals, which came out in 2005. Jagger says, "I don't just want it to be a good album, I want it to be great." (Rolling Stone)

Camila Cabello's mom is cutting her hair. What are you doing about yours?

Fans were charmed this week when pop star Camila Cabello posted a video of her mom cutting her bangs because, she said, she was starting to look like Professor Snape from the Harry Potter books. So we asked The Current's Facebook fans what they're doing about their hair, with salons and barbershops closed for public safety.

Jesse Schmitz-Boyd apparently doesn't mind looking like a movie character; he said he's rocking "bandanna headbands, so I look like an extra from The Outsiders." Some people are just letting it grow; Monica Hofe says "it's like a science experiment," and Emily Olauson adapted the "Let it Go" lyrics to explain how she's "letting it grow." The balding Richard Hedrick writes that in solidarity he's forgoing his every-four-month DIY haircut. Some people are cutting their own hair with varying results, like Esther Aspling's teenage son who "gave himself a mullet. And I have to look at it."

Taylor Swift live album drops without her approval, Jason Isbell releases his album early to support record stores

There's a new Taylor Swift live album out today, but the star is making clear that she did not approve the release. Live from Clear Channel Stripped 2008, now streaming on Apple Music, is an eight-track set released by Swift's former label Big Machine. In a statement, Swift called the release "just another case of shameless greed in the time of coronavirus. So tasteless, but very transparent." (Billboard)

Meanwhile, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's new album, Reunions, is coming out a week early — in this case, very much with the artists' approval. In a video, Isbell explained that the album will be available on May 8 exclusively at independent record stores as a way to thank those retailers "for their support over the years."

All-star group record distanced collaboration on Foo Fighters' "Times Like These"

Foo Fighters probably weren't imagining times like these when they released their song "Times Like These" in 2003, but...here we are. In a new recording and video put together by the BBC to support coronavirus relief funds, Foo Fighters are joined by stars including Dua Lipa, Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding, Hailee Steinfeld, Sam Fender, and 5 Seconds of Summer. (Stereogum)